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Founder, Taboo LLC

Sherizaan Minwalla started working in Iraq by helping to defend survivors of abuse who faced uphill legal battles after allegedly being sexually assaulted or trafficked. Since then she’s taken her work across the Middle East—and beyond.

Sherizaan Minwalla (LAW ’02)

Design Strategist

David McGaw (M.Des. ’07) became a designer because he enjoyed thinking about how people think. Now he’s a key conduit between human desires and Google’s artificial intelligence apparatus, DeepMind.

David McGaw M. Des. '07

Founder, Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition

Esther Sciammarella has been a cornerstone of mental health assistance in Chicago’s Hispanic community for decades. Her influence has now gone statewide as a member of the Illinois State Board of Health.

Esther Sciammarella M.S. PSYC '80

Group Leader, Vehicle Power Electronics Research Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For the second time, Omer Onar has broken a record for how fast he can wirelessly charge a light-duty electric vehicle, otherwise known as a passenger car. He wants to take the same technology everywhere—from your home to outer space.

Omer Onar Ph.D. EE ’10

Executive Director, Illinois Capital Development Board

Tamakia “T. J.” Edwards made herself a shoo-in for one of the most important jobs in Illinois that nobody seems to notice: making sure all the buildings in the state are well-designed, maintained, and always up to code.

Tamakia “T. J.” Edwards ARCE '08

Director of Food Safety

After seeing the effects of global bacteria outbreaks as a college student, Harry Hou dedicated his career to making food safe enough for his kids to eat.

Harry Hou M.S. FST ’08